Poetry from Martin - The Green Bard
HEARTCHERY
This collection of poems spans the last thirty years and tells the ‘story of my heart’. Heartchery is a homophone for archery, a sport in which some arrows hit the target and others don’t.
Here’s a quiver of verse exploring subjects that have hit my heart’s bullseye!
The poems are based on the theme of love – in relationships, the family, community, or a love of places, pursuits, flora and fauna.
They also cover the loss of love, mental health, and experiences of brokenness – something that can surprisingly transform us for the better.
A poet can also love a pithy narrative, an amusing anecdote, a social issue or situation that suddenly presents itself as ripe for verse, or simply have a love affair with words.
Heartchery also gives a nod to my eco-poetry and my belief in the power of poetry to serve and save the planet.
First Edition published by Martin Kiszko. 2025.
ISBN: 978-0-9568549-8-8
90 pages
Paperback
£12.99
Green Poems for a Blue Planet
Witty, whimsical, thought-provoking and challenging, here’s the first major collection of green poetry - 56 poems for greenies, non-greenies and in-betweenies about how we can help planet Earth.
Brilliantly illustrated by four time Oscar winner Nick Park and written to be performed aloud, GREEN POEMS FOR A BLUE PLANET has been a hit with both children and adults in the UK and abroad. Poetry performances with projected illustrations and green poetry workshops for schools and special events are also available.
Martin says, 'I hope these poems provoke a thought, raise a smile, start a conversation, spark an idea, spur us into action, or simply turn on a few ‘green lights'.
The book won the 2014 Climate Week Award in the Arts Category.
First Edition published Redcliffe Press. 2010.
ISBN: 978-1-9065935-5-1
230mm x 210mm
64 pages including many illustrations
Softback
Revised Edition published Wild Idea Ltd. 2011.
ISBN 978-0-9568549-0-2
£10
VERSE for the EARTH
Martin’s second book with animator and director Nick Park is VERSE FOR THE EARTH: More Green Poems for a Blue Planet.
From planets made of poo to green teenagers and from disappearing hedgehogs to environmentally friendly pirates, here are poems to amuse, entertain and challenge the greenies, non-greenies and inbetweenies of all ages!
Martin's poems and one-man show have been described as 'funny, great entertainment, and sheer environmental magic.'
First Edition published Wild Idea Ltd. 2014.
ISBN: 978-0-9568549-1-9
230mm x 210mm
60 pages including illustrations
Softback
£9.99
KING FRANK AND THE KNIGHTS OF THE ECOQUEST
King Frank is the world's first epic eco poem! When three knights embark on an ecoquest to find the lost Fountain of Frank, they are challenged by a river of poo, a plastic monster, and the effects of climate change.
Bronze Award Winner Best Children/Young Adult Programme at the New York Radio Festival, 2022.
First Edition published by Martin Kiszko. 2021.
ISBN: 978-0-9568549-6-4
66 pages including illustrations
Hardback
£12.99
INVERSEBRATES
An amusing collection of zoology-inspired verse that will challenge anyone to develop their bardic backbone!
Illustrated by Richard Parker-Crook, the collection is about many of the creatures that inhabit our beautiful world. The book also shows the reader how to write using the poetry forms of the poems in the collection.
First Edition published by Martin Kiszko. 2021.
ISBN: 978-0-9568549-4-0
96 pages including illustrations
Paperback
£12.99